Sofia Segalla

Background

About Sofia Segalla

Since middle school, I’ve been fascinated (and a little obsessed) with the ethical risks and long-term impacts of AI. That early interest led me to write a year-long thesis in high school on how the U.S. government balances efficiency and ethics in AI development, and has shaped every academic, technical, and professional decision I’ve made since. I’m now a senior at the University of Pennsylvania studying Computer Science and Engineering Entrepreneurship. I’ve worked as a software engineer in AI risk and misinformation, explored how technology intersects with policy, and built tools to make social platforms more transparent. I'm especially passionate about AI trust and safety—ensuring that the systems we build today reflect the values we want to preserve tomorrow. Beyond tech, I’ve competed as a Team USA sailor for 8 years and am a D1 athlete at Penn. I teach sailing and Computer Science at Penn, and I love to introduce my passions to young students. High-pressure, tactical environments are where I thrive—whether on the water, in the classroom, or in fast-moving, mission-driven organizations.